Published Feb 18, 2011
*Karleena*RN*
11 Posts
How on earth am I supposed to get nursing experience if NO ONE will hire a "new grad"?! There are so many job positions supposedly available....but they won't even consider me! It's NOT FAIR!!!! I can't even get my application/resume past HR. The longer I wait, the more I forget! 3 years of school....over 20K of student loans... and I'm decorating cakes to try to earn a little money! COME ON!!!! There has got to be someone, somewhere willing to hire a new grad RN - one who did great in school, who received multiple compliments throughout clinical training, and who even received a Leadership Award at pinning ceremony!
I'm getting so discouraged.
Guest296136
218 Posts
Don't be discouraged, you are not alone, depending on where you live. Try long term care, home care, not just hospitals. If you are appling online, stop in to HR and introduce yourself. I found that the smaller rehabs and nursing homes are easier to get interviews and they will see you when you show up to put an application in.
Be persistant and don't give up
tablefor9, RN
299 Posts
Keep trying. Apply, apply, apply. Network. Consider commuting or relocating, and apply in a wider circle. Do some volunteer/short term mission type work to get *something* on that resume. You can do this, but don't get caught up in the "it's not fair" thing. There will be **much** in your nursing career that isn't. And I'm sure you don't mean that it's not fair that more experienced RNs, who have paid their dues, have gotten jobs.
Best of luck to you! Keep your chin up, you'll do fine.
thekellyone
18 Posts
I would look into assisted living facilites and nursing homes...it may not be your dream job but it is experience...I was totally in the same boat as you..how I actually ended up with my job was calling the Nursing Recruiting office of hospitals non stop to get my name out...and it ended up working in my favor....keep going for it and keep your head up..its just hard out there right now. but honestly look everywhere you can. some of my nursing school buddies even looked in the classifieds...and it worked in their favor
SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN
3,376 Posts
There has got to be someone, somewhere willing to hire a new grad RN - one who did great in school, who received multiple compliments throughout clinical training, and who even received a Leadership Award at pinning ceremony!
Until nurses on this forum start to post otherwise, I will continue to say the same thing to New Grads with your problem.... Move to Texas!
Thanks for the encouragment!
I applied to a volunteer program just recently - so hopefully that will give me something "meaningful" to do!
I'm at a loss of what to do/say when going in to see HR. With all the applications being done online - what am I supposed to say to them? "Hello... just wanting to check to make sure the computer sent my application to you!" (Kidding, of course.) Any tips on how to get my name out there without being annoying??
I am not whining about more experienced nurses getting the positions... I just wish I could be given a chance to even have an interview every so often. I feel like they see that I just graduated in December...and automatically chuck my application. I realize I have a lot to learn, and training might take longer... but I could become an amazing nurse - if they'd just give me the chance.
haha! Unfortunately moving right now is not an option. My husband has a stable job here in Las Vegas...and unless I find something far better than what he's got - we're stuck here.
And I'm definitely not just applying to hospitals... I'm trying everything!! (Rehab, LTC, home health, etc.)
Hand carry a resume in to the various HR departments, with a professional cover letter. Dress professionally, act with confidence. I bet we'll hear something good from you soon!
chudder
141 Posts
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/hea/2202402863.html
https://chw.recruitmax.com/ENG/candidates/default.cfm?szCategory=jobprofile&szOrderID=102880
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/hea/2172123851.html
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/hea/2171586282.html
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/hea/2171128130.html
https://www.valleyhospital.net/Employment/Search-Jobs-Online has two "RN I" jobs posted currently
https://www.desertspringshospital.com/Employment/Search-Jobs-Online has "RN I" jobs posted currently
so does https://www.summerlinhospital.com/Employment/Search-Jobs-Online and https://www.springvalleyhospital.com/Employment/Search-Jobs-Online
did you try http://www.lasvegas.va.gov/careers/ or http://www.bouldercityhospital.org/careers/
north vista has a couple of postings that don't say experience required...
i stopped before looking at sunrise, mountain view and the other hospitals in the area
Working as a CNA will make you an internal applicant for hospitals. I have classmates who applied to LPN jobs and got hired as an RN, so at least they have RN experience on their resumes.
It goes without saying, but I'll say it: the "it's not fair" attitude won't help you get a job. You're in an area with terrible unemployment and unable to relocate. If you're intent on a hospital new grad program, I would even consider looking for programs that are a cheap commuter flight away. You may spend most of your salary on flights back and forth, but at least you'd get a year under your belt and be able to pick up a local job.
good luck
B52-H
97 Posts
If you're intent on a hospital new grad program, I would even consider looking for programs that are a cheap commuter flight away. You may spend most of your salary on flights back and forth, but at least you'd get a year under your belt and be able to pick up a local job.good luck
Seriously? :rotfl:
xtine618
60 Posts
I can imagine doing this, especially if it's a hospital/facility that would give you the kind of experience you are looking for and if you don't have any other obligations like children. But I work with several nurses who actually live 4 hours away fom where they work. They just do their 3 days in a row, stay with a friend or in a cheap hotel and then go back home. It's not convenient by any means but it's an option.
I was also going to ask if you know any nurses who would let you shadow them in their job. It would give you a great opportunity to network. Where have other new grads from your graduating class found positions? Are you able to keep in touch with old clinincal instructors? They are usually employees in a hospital/facility. A recommendation or a word from them could go a long way. And trauma season is coming up. The hospitals will get busier.
It will work out. Stay positive. Be creative with getting yourself out there. Put face time into the hospitals HR departments if you can. Good luck!
Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
How on earth am I supposed to get nursing experience if NO ONE will hire a "new grad"?! There are so many job positions supposedly available....but they won't even consider me! It's NOT FAIR!!!!
I'm thinking you're just venting a little bit...if so, no biggie. However, the "it's not fair" mentality will get you nowhere. We're never promised anything when we get a degree...no "wrong" has been done to you. The market is tight and facilities of course will want the best candidates they can get. Most of the time they perceive the best candidate is experienced, because that means less training and less training translates into less financial outlay for them.
Life is not and has NEVER been fair.
Just keep on plugging...remember that it's not personal...these things usually cycle around.